Dean’s (Wish) List
Dean Zanella, the chef of 312 Chicago for years, is partnering with Mia Francesca’s Scott Harris to open Aldino’s (626 S. Racine Ave.), a 120-seat Italian restaurant/deli in the old Rico’s and La Scala spot near the UIC pavilion. “A better word than…
Bringing new meaning to “open bar”: Double A (108 W. Kinzie St., lower level; 312-329-2444), the exclusive 65-seat lounge that launched downstairs from Mercadito last Thursday. Mixology takes centerstage at this sleek spot, where bartenders whip together elaborate drinks—dreamed up by the cocktail consultancy known as the Tippling Bros…
Our pick of restaurants serving the best Thanksgiving dinners
Evanston, that most urban of suburbs, finally has a cool place for a bite and brew after the movie. A deep storefront decked with raw wood beams and pinpoint lighting, The Cellar—brought to you by the folks behind The Stained Glass Bistro—skillfully blends slick and hip with cozy and comfy. Maybe it’s the seating (a … Read more
“My wife is Puerto Rican and I’m Korean, so we are doing a lot of things from two different cultures.” Usually when we hear an earnest statement like that one, we cringe—but when it comes from Bill Kim, the creative force behind Urbanbelly, we rejoice that he and Yvonne Cadiz-Kim found each other and wish … Read more
Big news over at Branch 27 (1371 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-850-2700), the West Town American bistro that opened this past April: Chef Bob Zrenner is leaving on November 19th and will be replaced by John Manion, lately of Goose Island Brewpub. “They want me to take…
A few months ago, I found myself enmeshed in a dispute with someone who had winked at me on match.com. When I checked out his profile and saw I was one year older than the upper limit of his preferred age range (though he and I are the exact same age), I couldn’t refrain from asking why he had bothered reaching out to a senior citizen. “Women in their 20s are just easier,” he snipped…
“My wife is Puerto Rican and I’m Korean, so we are doing a lot of things from two different cultures.” Usually when we hear an earnest statement like that one, we cringe—but when it comes from Bill Kim, the creative force behind Urbanbelly, we rejoice that he and Yvonne Cadiz-Kim found each other and wish … Read more
Vintage National Geographic covers papering the interior tell you that this new Pilsen BYO is not your ordinary taco joint. Sure, it’s got tacos on tap, but even better, a slew of tortas (sandwiches) on plump, freshly baked buns, a display case loaded with house-made desserts—don’t miss the Kahlúa-shot mocha tres leches cake—and water perked … Read more
“I was walking down this really obscure street in Beijing and happened on this Chinese guy,” says Randal Jacobs, the chef of Elate. “No shirt. Just shorts. Sitting on a milk crate grilling chicken wings on a hibachi grill.” Three orders of wings later, an idea was born. The wings Jacobs came up with … Read more
